While trying to organize the chaos outside of the hospital Dr. Kepner urges the other staff to check patients for smoke inhalation. In season 6 episode 6 I Saw What I Saw (2009) a patient dies unexpectedly and while trying to piece together what exactly happened it is revealed that Dr. Kepner (still a resident at this time) did not check for smoke inhalation which caused the patient's demise. She was subsequently fired, though Dr. Derek Shepherd brings her back shortly after.
One of the patients that is evacuated from the hospital is named Shonda. This could be a nod to the creator of the show, Shonda Rhimes.